Calling all Panthers

To all fellow rugby enthusiasts, sponsors and members of the Pattaya Panthers RFC (in whatever capacity).

The new year is already well underway and although the club has suffered from a lack of numbers so far, mainly due to many players moving on, especially the students and gappies that we rely on, the 2013 season really starts now!

The Bangkok 10’s will be held this coming weekend (in Bangkok of course) and although we have been unable to enter a team, many of our regulars will be attending and helping out other teams. Our own Pattaya tournament is less than 3 months away and the organisation starts now.

As you are all aware we have reintroduced a formal membership in the club and to show our appreciation to those that have already signed up we will have a Members Night at the Tavern by The Sea on Monday 18th February, organised in conjunction with the Amari Orchid Resort who have graciously agreed to provide their famous Monday Night Curry Buffet to members at a giveaway price of Bt. 300 net and Damo has agreed to raid the beer kitty to get things going with a few sponsored beers!

For all members, sporting, social or otherwise, we will be issuing a unique Panthers Membership Card, which will entitle the member to a 20% discount on all food and beverage at the Tavern until the end of 2013. This is indicative of the Amari’s continued support and represents great value, I recently signed up a visitor from Dubai as a social member and he had paid for it within 3 days!

If you are a paid up member and have not yet received your membership card and cannot come along on Monday, please let me know and I will endeavour to get the card to you somehow.

Our first real game of the season will be at the end of this month when we will entertain the combined Navy and Marines team from the USS Bonhomme Richard.

This evening at Tavern by the Sea will enable you to meet up with a lot of like minded individuals, this is your club and we would like to create the right atmosphere so come along and enjoy yourself and let us know how you feel about your club.

Hoping to see you all there!

Jim Howard (Chairman - Pattaya Panthers RFC)

This article was published in the Pattaya Mail newspaper on Friday February 15, 2013 (Vol. XXI No. 7).